About CMH
Complex Medical Help (CMH) provides assistance to children with special health care needs and their families who meet the medical and financial eligibility criteria. Assistance is provided to children under age 25 (before turning 26) who have special health care needs and are residents of the State of Ohio.
FCHD offers public health nurse (PHN) services to CMH clients, delivered by staff skilled in working with families with special health care needs.
Three ways CMH can help
CMH has three programs to help children with special health care needs. All services must be provided by CMH-approved providers.
1. Diagnostic Program
Children can receive services for up to six months, from CMH-approved providers, to rule out or diagnose a special health care need or establish a plan of treatment. Services may include:
- Tests and x-rays
- Therapy evaluations
- Public health nursing services
- Visits to CMH-approved doctors
- Up to five days in the hospital
2. Treatment Program
Children can receive services for one year, from CMH-approved providers, for treatment of an eligible condition. Both medical and financial eligibility are required. Services may include:
- Laboratory tests and x-rays
- Physician visits
- Prescription medications
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Surgeries and hospitalizations
- Public health nursing services
- Therapies
- Service coordination
All services must relate to the child's eligible condition. If the child remains eligible, services may be renewed each year until age 23.
3. Service Coordination Program
This program helps families locate and coordinate services for their child. It is a limited program available to children with specific conditions who are seen by a team of providers at hospitals approved by CMH for service coordination.
How is a child enrolled?
The child's CMH-approved doctor (M.D. or D.O.) sends a medical application form to CMH. Public health nurses can start the application process by referring families to CMH-approved doctors. The parent, legal guardian, or client who is at least 18 years old must sign the release of information and consent on the application form before CMH can act on the application.
For more information, visit odh.ohio.gov (opens in a new window, leaves this site), call 740-652-2800, or email .